Former MLB Pitcher Pascual Perez Dead at 55

Mike McGinnis/Getty Images(SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic) — Former major league pitcher Pascual Perez was killed at his home in the Dominican Republic during an apparent robbery, according to police. He was 55.

Perez had an 11-season career in the majors and compiled a lifetime record of 67-68 with the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Montreal Expos and New York Yankees. But he was in and out of trouble for much of his career, being suspended twice for drug use.

He was found with a severe head wound, but authorities in the Dominican Republic did not reveal whether they had any suspects.

The right-handed pitcher was first signed by the Pirates in 1976 as an amateur free agent, and last played in the majors for the Yankees in 1991.

Perez was suspended in March of 1992 by the commissioner’s office after a failed drug test and never returned to major league baseball.